Freshman year of college a good friend of mine asked if I played bass guitar— they needed someone to play a handful of country songs in a cabaret after winter break. I said "Yes! Absolutely!"

 

I lied. I had never played bass before in my life.

 

I went home for break, bought a cheap Starry bass guitar, and drilled classic country progressions during the New Year's ball drop. When I went back to school, I played for my friend's country cabaret without raising any suspicion that I was a fraud. Best decision ever.